US keeps ban on nonessential border crossings to slow COVID
The U.S. government on Friday extended a ban on nonessential travel along the borders with Canada and Mexico to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Hamilton County Schools report Covid cases
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - As they did last year, the Hamilton County School System is posting their Covid case data. They report 209 active cases so far this year, which is less than 1% of the entire student population. 1,628 are…
ICU beds full at most metropolitan Tennessee hospitals
NASHVILLE (WDEF) - The Tennessee Hospital Association reports that most intensive care unites are full in the state's four largest cities. Statewide, they say adult ICU beds are now 90% occupied. In the Chattanooga District, the number is higher at…
Collegedale investigates and then criticizes alleged racial comment by officer
The Police Chief for Collegedale is addressing social media posts claiming one of his officers made a racial response during a traffic stop.
Gov. Lee responds to Biden letter on his mask executive order
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - The Biden administration seems willing to make a federal case out of Governor Bill Lee's Executive Order for Tennessee. The Governor is allowing parents to opt out of any mask mandate imposed by a local school…
Tyner students' protest makes near immediate impact on school board
Tyner Academy parents are demanding for the school board to make the school safe for their kids.
Public's speaking time could be adjusted at Hamilton County School board meetings to better help serve the community
Parents were scheduled to speak at the end of the Hamilton County school board meeting rather than the beginning as usual.
Gulf Coast's beloved 'Redneck Riviera' now a virus hotspot
By JAY REEVES Associated Press GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) — Tourists and servers alike dance atop tables and in the aisles at one restaurant on the “Redneck Riviera,” a beloved stretch of towns along the northern Gulf Coast where beaches,…
Heritage High moves to virtual learning on Friday
RINGGOLD, Georgia (WDEF) - Heritage High is the latest school to react to growing Covid cases. The Catoosa County superintendent announced the school is transitioning to virtual learning on just Friday. They are expected to return to class on Monday.…
Georgia Governor bans cities from imposing Covid restrictions on businesses
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia’s Republican governor has issued an executive order banning cities from requiring businesses to enforce local pandemic restrictions. But what impact, if any, the measure signed Thursday would have on new mask requirements in Atlanta, Savannah and…
TVA extends Pandemic Recovery Credit
The Tennessee Valley Authority board has decided to extend their pandemic recovery credit.
Dalton Public Schools to require masks fro PreK up to 7th grade
DALTON, Ga (WDEF) - Dalton Public Schools announced it will update its COVID-19 policies in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19. During a special meeting on Wednesday morning, the board of education voted 5-0 to approve…
Local cannabis company sends appeal to Medical Cannabis Commission
TRION, Ga (WDEF) - Remedium Life Science was one of the many companies not awarded a contract to sell medical cannabis in Georgia. T The CEO of the company, community members, and local officials were shocked by the…
Boy Scouts get conditional approval of $850M bankruptcy deal
A judge partially approved a deal that could lead the Boy Scouts of America out of bankruptcy. Under the agreement, the Boy Scouts would contribute up to $250 million in cash and property to a fund for victims of child sexual abuse. Local councils would contribute $600 million.
Soddy Daisy Veteran Helps Others, DTRT Winner
CHATTANOOGA, TN - (WDEF) - There is a disabled Army veteran in Soddy Daisy who is doing his best to help his fellow veterans. Scotty Mincey started a Facebook page back in May. And it's taken…
2 dead, 20 missing in North Carolina county flooded by Fred
Authorities combing areas of North Carolina flooded by the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred said Thursday that two people have been found dead and about 20 were unaccounted for.
Standoff as man in pickup near Capitol claims he has a bomb
A man sitting in a black pickup truck parked on the sidewalk outside the Library of Congress told police he had a bomb Thursday.
New Amazon fulfillment center, 500 jobs headed for Tennessee
A new Amazon fulfillment center is planned for Tennessee, bringing with it 500 full-time jobs.
TVA upping their EV fleet over next decade
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (WDEF) - TVA has upped their goal of switching to all-electric vehicles of the next decade. The new timeline: -- 100% light duty vehicles by 2030 -- 50% medium-duty vehicles by 2030 That means buying 1,200 vehicles made…
Unity Group concerned over local African American census trend
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Our area continues to grow, but a recent trend has alarmed the Unity Group of Chattanooga. According to census data, the city's African American population declined by more than 5-thousand people between 2010 and…
Heritage Middle in Catoosa County moves to virtual learning
MESSAGE FROM CATOOSA SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DENIA REESE: I am monitoring the spread of COVID in every school and in the district all day every day. This week, we have seen a high number of positive cases at Heritage Middle School,…
Mayor Kelly announces he tests positive for Covid-19
CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) - Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly says he is self-isolating at home following a positive Covid test. A statement from the mayor's office say he is exhibiting only mild symptoms, similar to an allergy. He tested positive today, while…
GoFundMe used to help offset cost for college
A first-year college student from Fort Oglethorpe is taking a different approach to paying for her tuition.
Dolly Parton humble about her contribution to Moderna Vaccine
(WDEF) - Dolly Parton talked about her new book deal, the 9 to 5 Musical and diversity in the country music business in an interview on British radio. But she was also very humble about her contribution to a Covid…